Teeth whitening has become a common desire for many people seeking a brighter smile. Often, hydrogen peroxide, a key ingredient in many commercial teeth whitening products, is also considered a viable home remedy. However, it's important to understand the associated risks and rewards. Here's an insight into hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening, with a focus on the science behind it, the potential risks involved, and the best practices for usage.
How Hydrogen Peroxide Works
Hydrogen peroxide whitens teeth by breaking down the stains through an oxidation process1. It can partially penetrate the layers of the teeth and remove compounds causing discoloration1.
Risks of Hydrogen Peroxide
Despite its whitening capabilities, hydrogen peroxide may pose certain risks. The website Dentaly.Org stated the following "The dilution of hydrogen peroxide considered safe to use is 3%. Any higher, and you could risk damaging your enamel for good. Even then, using it for prolonged periods of time can still cause damage. Your enamel is not something you can grow back once it is gone, so be careful not to damage it"2.
Who Should Avoid Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with dental restorations, such as fillings, crowns, or veneers, may not experience even whitening or any whitening at all. People with oral health issues like cavities or gum disease may find that hydrogen peroxide exacerbates these conditions.
The Role of Professional Whitening Treatments
For those seeking teeth whitening, it's recommended to consult with a dental professional. Dentists can evaluate oral health and propose suitable options, whether it be a professional treatment or a suitable home remedy. They can also monitor the whitening process, adjusting the concentration and duration of hydrogen peroxide exposure as needed 3.
What To Use Between Professional Visits?
At Waken we choose alternatives to hydrogen peroxide and instead use a combination of plant enzymes, pyrophosphates and zinc citrate.In combination, these ingredients can help break down stain-causing proteins, prevent tartar buildup, and fight plaque, together contributing to a cleaner, whiter smile. In independent tests, Waken's Whitening Toothpaste cleaned up to 8 shades whiter when used twice a day for 2 weeks and Waken's Whitening Mouthwash cleaned up to 5 shades whiter over the same period. Resultswill vary based on individual differences.
FAQs
Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now. When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.
What are the disadvantages of using hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth? ›
Swishing With Hydrogen Peroxide
Check with a dentist beforehand. "The bleaching agent can badly burn your gums and damage enamel if the concentration is too strong," added Dr. Kunen.
Why is hydrogen peroxide bad for your teeth over time? ›
When used in high concentrations over an extended period of time, hydrogen peroxide can damage the protective enamel on your teeth and lead to problems such as: Teeth sensitivity. Cavities and tooth loss. Irritation and inflammation in the teeth and gums.
What happens if you use hydrogen peroxide on your teeth everyday? ›
If you do this more than once a day or week, then there is a chance that your enamel can become eroded. A thin enamel is at risk of developing cavities because of the bacteria and acid solution in the mouth. It's important to note that it is a bleaching agent and can cause tooth sensitivity if used too frequently.
Is 6% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? ›
Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.
What are 3 negative effects of hydrogen peroxide? ›
Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. ► Exposure to Hydrogen Peroxide can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
What is better than hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening? ›
Overall, both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide produce excellent results. You should feel comfortable about using either product to whiten your smile.
Does hydrogen peroxide ruin enamel? ›
While hydrogen peroxide may help whiten the teeth in certain situations, there are some important safety issues to consider. Hydrogen peroxide can cause damage to the enamel of the teeth if a person uses the solution incorrectly.
How to whiten teeth without damaging enamel? ›
Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste:
Baking soda has teeth whitening properties; that's why it's prevalent in toothpaste commercials. It helps in rubbing off stains from the tooth surface due to its mildly abrasive nature. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is a natural bleaching agent.
Is it bad to swish with hydrogen peroxide everyday? ›
If correctly used, hydrogen peroxide is safe for most people. However, it can be harmful to your teeth if you use it too often or make the concentration too strong. It is important to know that you should not use food-grade hydrogen peroxide to gargle since it contains more than 35% concentration.
Conclusion. Baking soda is an effective teeth whitener when used appropriately to brush the teeth. Keep in mind that it is also important to maintain regular dental visits and continue using a good toothpaste with any baking soda brushing routine.
Is it OK to rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide daily? ›
Due to its various health risks, most dentists don't recommend using hydrogen peroxide frequently.
How long should I use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth? ›
Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.
What percentage of hydrogen peroxide do dentists use for teeth whitening? ›
Today, most dentists use hydrogen and carbamide peroxide gels between 10-40%, which are chemically activated or by different light sources, such as halogen light, laser or plasma arc [9], See (Table 1).
What percentage of hydrogen peroxide do dentists use? ›
Tooth whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide can ONLY be sold to dental practitioners; For each cycle of use, the first use can ONLY be carried out by dental practitioners or under their direct supervision, if an equivalent level of safety is ensured.
How long can you leave 6% peroxide on teeth? ›
Recommended wear time is 1.5 hours per day for 6% Hydrogen Peroxide. Wear time of 3 to 4 hours per day for the Hybrid Pro, and 6 hours, but better overnight, for 10% and 16% Carbamide Peroxide. After whitening brush teeth. Clean your whitening trays with cool water and a soft toothbrush.
Do dentists recommend hydrogen peroxide? ›
When used correctly, OTC oral care products with small amounts of hydrogen peroxide are safe and effective. Higher percentages of hydrogen peroxide in treatments are safe when applied by a dental professional. Check with your dental professional before making your own concoctions.
When should hydrogen peroxide not be used? ›
The release of oxygen causes foaming, which helps to remove dead skin and clean the area.This product should not be used to treat deep wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
Is it harmful to rinse mouth with hydrogen peroxide? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is used widely in professionally and self-administered products. Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive substance which can damage oral soft tissues and hard tissues when present in high concentrations and with exposures of prolonged duration.
How many days does it take to whiten teeth with hydrogen peroxide? ›
Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.
